Twenty-three years ago, the Filipinos kicked out a conjugal dictatorship. Ferdinand Marcos and his wife Imelda were forced to flee Manila after a bloodless revolution that toppled the couple’s ruthless and corrupt rule. Now the Philippines is facign not just a conjugal dictatorship but it includes the entire family.
Rocked by corruptions and human rights violations, Gloria Arroyo and her family are trying to cement their hold on power. Arroyo is now the second longest sitting president since Marcos. From 2001 to present, she and her family had been implicated in corruption and kickback scandals. To prevent her removal demcratically or otherwise, she had been draining the country’s coffers to bribe legislators and security forces. Hundreds of political killings enforced disappearances has been recorded with the UNHRC confirming it. Media personnel, members of the judiciary have not been spared so she and cohorts can prevent the truth from coming out.
Her eldest son, a congressman has been tagged by witnesses to an illegal numbers game operation that extends to the the entire country. Her husband has been implicated in taking kickbacks amounting to several hundreds of millions of dollar. Another son and her brother-in-law has also been implicated in illegal gambling operations.
In fact, the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank had exposed corruption that end at the doorstep of the palace. Because of her appointive powers, she had gained control over every public office of the land. Those legislators in the opposition are deprived of their development faunds which has led to poverty and lack of progress in their districts. Now even the presidential elections of scheduled on 2010 hangs in the balance as her allies in the legislative are poised to amend the constitution to perpetuate themselves to power.
The Philippines has become the Zimbabwe of Asia. Our justice system has been mocked and her allies implicated in corruptions remain free. Even those imprisoned had been given executive clemency. Corruption here has been institutionalized. Thanks to her leadership by example, Gloria Arroyo has run the country to the ground. Investors shy away not because of our contitutional safeguards but because of the corruption in our bureaucracy.
Their cronies are having a field day. Every form of tax is being imposed to cover the losses incurred because of corruption. When public funds end up in their pockets, social service suffers. This the reality of life every Filipino must face. Unless we find a way to kick this corrupt family out, my country will never have a future.
March 24th, 2009 at 6:47 am
Corruption is exactly why the Philippines will never prosper. While we’re rich in natural resources, they will never be enough to attract investors to come in. The thick-faced ‘chosen’ few who are running the country to the ground will always be on the way of attracting these investors.
I never liked the dictatorship that Marcos imposed when he was in power, but from the way things are today, I guess the country was far much better during his administration than with GMA’s. I feel sorry for the poorest of the poor, their needs are being exploited during elections. And because of too much poverty people will just go with the flow – the habit of corruption that is. So it is just a vicious cycle.
Btw, when I was younger I used to wonder why despite very low salary, people will kill each other to get a seat as public official in the guise of public service. Well it didn’t take me long to realize that they must be getting much more than just the paycheck (very deep sigh).
March 31st, 2009 at 9:41 am
That’s an interesting post about Arroyo being corrupt. All I see is allegations. Are there any other sources to back up these allegations? How about an opposing view. It’s nice to hear both sides sometimes to determine the the truth.
April 5th, 2009 at 4:52 am
Yes, it really does sound like the Philippines have become an Asian Zimbabwe.
Trouble is, though, unlike in Zimbabwe where the West makes noises, you will not be getting help from America or the UK in this fight because this country caters to American interests through the bases they have there.
Because it is strategically positioned, and the US wants a permanent presence in the region, they look the other way.
April 8th, 2009 at 1:38 am
hi..thanks for sending the EC…God bless
April 19th, 2009 at 9:48 pm
To think that under Marcus Dictatorship,
Philippines was one of the rich countries at that time..
Marcus indeed did a great job in the economy…
Anyways.. Abbot Gloria.. I really don’t like her..
never had.. and never will..
but sad to say.. she’s pretty smart…
than the other candidates..
but she’s not getting my vote neither..
in Phil politics, I think Legarda has the brains..
June 17th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Arroyo’s term will end in 2010, that’s the law. You better hope and pray the next elected president is at least as good as Gloria Arroya is.